St Anne's Community Services - Ripon Community House

Updated 21 July 2022

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2008

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

And inspector and an Expert by Experience carried out the inspection. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

St Anne’s Community Services Ripon service provides care and support to people living in one ‘supported living’ setting, so that they can live as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service.

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people who used the service. We spoke with two members of staff and two relatives. We reviewed a range of records. These included three people’s care records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits, Staff records, training records and procedures.

After the inspection

We continuing to seek clarification from the provider to corroborate evidence found. We looked at audits, support plans, reports and action plans.

Updated 21 July 2022

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

About the service

St Anne’s Community Services Ripon provides support to people living in their own supported living accommodation. The service supports 5 people with learning disabilities and/or autism with personal care and support in their own home. At the time of the inspection, the service was supporting four people living in one group house. There was a sleeping-in room for staff.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Right Support

The service supported people to have the maximum possible choice, control and independence over their own lives. People were supported to pursue their aspiration and interests, such as moving on and planning achievable goals for the future.

The service supported people in their own home. People were supported to keep their home safe, clean and to meet their sensory and physical needs. The communal areas were modern with mutually agreed decor. People had personalised their bedrooms to reflect their preferences. There was a staff sleep in room and this was agreed with peoples consent and staff respected the people’s home.

People received the medicines they needed to support their health needs. The registered manager closely monitored the use of any ‘when required’ (known as PRN) medicines. These were managed in an individualised way.

Right Care

The service had enough appropriately skilled staff to meet people’s needs and keep them safe. The service tried to match staff with people’s preferences to enhance their experiences. Staff knew people’s individual communication styles well. They knew how to interpret their signs, gestures, behaviours and body language. They ensured people had access to information in formats best suited to their sensory needs.

Staff knew people well and responded to them appropriately and sensitively. People’s care, treatment and support plans reflected their range of needs and promoted their wellbeing. People took part in activities. However, we found some outings were not always based on people’s preferences.

Right Culture

The service had a positive culture that focused on person-centred care and meaningful outcomes for people were planned. People were encouraged to be active citizens in their local community.

Feedback from people and their relatives reflected that staff understood the values of the service. Staff knew how to keep people safe and well and give them the best support they could in the least restrictive way. Staff knew and understood people well. They got to know people as unique individuals and personalities regarding this as a key element of person-centred care.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service under the previous provider was Good (published 2 February 2018).

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Why we inspected

We undertook this inspection to assess that the service is applying the principles of Right support right care right culture.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.